NDRRMC on alert for Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines - Half the personnel of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) were placed on alert for any emergency during the Holy Week.

Police in Metro Manila, Northern and Southern Luzon and the Visayas are on heightened alert.

Lenie Alegre, NDRRMC Planning Division officer-in-charge, said the Office of Civil Defense regional directors have been instructed to come up with contingency plans and monitor the situation in their respective areas.

“The National Disaster Operations Center will be on blue alert status to monitor and coordinate with concerned agencies,” she said.

Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., Philippine National Police spokesman, said police in Mindanao and the Special Action Force will remain on full alert.

“In line with PNP’s security preparations for the upcoming Holy Week, the alert level for all PNP units in Luzon and Visayas plus the National Support Units, as per guidance of the PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima, is raised to heightened alert effective 5 p.m. Sunday,” he said.

Transportation Assistant Secretary Dante Lantin said airports have been placed on high alert status to ensure the safety of passengers.

“More frequent inspections will be conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to ensure air worthiness of general aviation aircraft and private chartered aircraft,” he said.

Public assistance desks have also been set up in airports to provide assistance to the public.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will issue special permits to shipping firms to allow them to send or deploy additional boats or ships to meet increased demand.

Passengers of vessels can forward their questions, concerns, feedback or complaints to the MARINA SUMBONG hotline (0917-7862664).

Lantin said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has also issued special permits for additional bus units and routes.

The LTFRB with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will also monitor and inspect Metro Manila bus terminals and enforce the campaign against unregistered buses.

Lantin said the LTO is conducting safety audits of public utility vehicles about to leave terminals.

“Vehicles or drivers that do not pass these audits are not allowed to travel until the defects or deficiencies are corrected,” he said.

President Aquino is scheduled to inspect transportation facilities today (March 26) to monitor their condition and get updates.

He will visit Pier 12 in Manila North Harbor, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 3 and 4 and Victory Liner Terminal in Pasay City.

Purisima is set to personally conduct inspections of seaport, airport and bus terminals.

The PNP is ready to receive calls for assistance through Patrol 117 hotline or through text at 0917-8475757.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Metro Manila will deploy firefighters to ensure the safety and security of the community.

Chief Superintendent Santiago Laguna, BFP Metro Manila director, has instructed the district and city /municipal fire marshals to place the fire apparatus and ambulance on strategic locations to provide assistance to motorists and emergency medical services. – Alexis Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Helen Flores